Richard V. Reeves, 12/06/12

Former Deputy Director of Strategy to the UK Government

In the 21st century, America has the opportunity to globalize the Enlightenment. But only if it can defeat the sovereignty fetishists at home.

Dr. Josef Olmert, 12/06/12

Adjunct Professor, University of South Carolina

Is it possible that Assad will use the chemical weapons, much the same as Saddam did? It is possible, but really highly unlikely. The regime is using the chemical option as possible, desperate leverage aimed at the U.S., Turkey, and much less against Israel.

Christine Lagarde, 12/06/12

Managing Director, IMF

Next week, I will travel to Latin America -- my second visit to the region since November 2011. I return with increased optimism, as much of Latin America continues its impressive transformation that started a decade ago.

Pepe Escobar, 12/06/12

Roving correspondent for the Asia Times

Will Obama 2.0 finally admit that Washington doesn't need regime change in Tehran to improve its relationship with that country?

Elena Panaritis, 12/06/12

Founder, Panel Group; Author, 'Prosperity Unbound'

Austerity has made it difficult for Greece to meet its fiscal targets, as well as its structural reforms. This is why anything short of debt forgiveness and more bailout funds is only a way for Europe to buy a little bit of time but at a huge price.

Tom Rogan, 12/06/12

Blogger/Writer

Herein lies the two-sided coin: Assad's end may be approaching, but if he believes that he has nothing to lose, he may also perceive the employment of chemical weapons to be his best option.

Antonio Tujan Jr., 12/06/12

Director, IBON International

The U.S. often projects a self-ascribed role of acting for the benefit of others in the world. At COP18 it, along with the EU, must move beyond a concern for its interests alone, and live up to its obligation to act for the other people inhabiting this planet.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, 12/06/12

UAE Special Envoy for Energy & Climate Change and CEO of Masdar

Climate change is not only a crisis, but an opportunity. While some people may find it ironic that countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are making massive investments in renewable energy, we think it is absolutely fitting and a logical step.

John Feffer, 12/06/12

Open Society Fellow

Sonja Biserko does not mince words about what Serbia must do to change course. We were talking on a warm Saturday afternoon in late September in one of the many cafes of the Terazije, the pedestrian concourse that runs through the middle of Belgrade.

Sarwar Kashmeri, 12/06/12

Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council

As the U.S. Congress begins to trim the U.S. defense budget it should re-examine the structure of NATO and insist that the alliance's bureaucracy reflect today's geopolitical realities, not those prevailing at the end of World War II.

Daphne Wysham, 12/06/12

Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies

What about the remaining 56 percent of World Bank energy lending, most of it still devoted to fossil fuels? Is this what the Bank calls "stepping up to the challenge" of climate change?

Frank Vogl, 12/06/12

Author of 'Waging War on Corruption - Inside the Movement Fighting the Abuse of Power'

The 2012 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, published yesterday, finds Afghanistan at the absolute bottom, sharing this dismal place with North Korea and Somalia. There is a brutal message here for the architects of Western geo-political strategy.

Joseph Blady, M.D., 12/06/12

Former program officer for the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and senior analyst for the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence

If our government wants to draw an arbitrary, rather hypocritical line in the sand at Assad's use of chemical weapons, fine. If we're going to bring the world back to its senses, we have to start somewhere. But I would apply two caveats.

Tom Hayden, 12/05/12

Former State Senator and leader of sixties peace, justice and environmental movement. Director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center.

If the terrorism debate is de-politicized, it is clear enough that bin Laden is dead and the original Al Qaeda structurally fragmented and weakened. But "Al Qaeda" is more a resilient insurgent network than a centralized bureaucracy.

Carlo Revelli, 12/05/12

Chairman of the AgoraVox Foundation

This is the story of how I discovered that I was the cousin of the only man on Earth who is listed as 'missing' despite his whereabouts being known.

Amb. Marc Ginsberg, 12/06/12

Fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Morocco

The ever-present turmoil in the Middle East compels a second edition of my Field Guide to the Middle East Mess.

Gordon Brown, 12/05/12

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; UN Special Envoy for Global Education

Just 72 hours ago in the Indian capital of Delhi 14 children were freed from slave labour. They were being held in dark, insanitary conditions and forced to work for up to 15 hours a day making Christmas decorations.